As my grandfather walked me to my first day of kindergarten, I can still recall the anxious feeling in my gut. I just discovered the saying, "butterflies in my stomach". I remember envisioning thousands of magnificent monarch butterflies swarming inside of me. I felt safe holding my Grandfather's hand, I was reluctant to let go. He bent down and told me he loved me and he'll be there waiting for me at 12:30. He sensed my nervousness and confidently said, "you are unbelievable Jenny, show them how well you draw"! As I was greeted by Mrs. Waters, I was relieved, being that she had been my sister's teacher three years prior. I was extremely shy, practically too shy to speak. When we got free time I drew because I was too scared to make friends. When the other students saw the horse I drew, suddenly, everyone wanted to be my friend. Throughout the year I recall being known as the artist. It made me feel special when my peers asked me to draw things for them at recess and when my teacher hung up my work.
First and Second grade were pleasant and I made many friends whom I still consider my best friends today. In the third grade, I discovered what I wanted to do with my life. Reading and writing was always my best subjects and the topics I enjoyed learning. My teacher, Mrs. Renter, praised my creativity and informed me that my writing skills were well beyond my years. One afternoon, she asked me to stay late because she needed to talk to me. Naturally, I assumed I was in trouble. However, Mrs. Renter revealed that she had entered a few of my writing projects into contests for elementary school students and I won! She informed me I would be among other students across New York that would be honored in a ceremony in New York City for young writers. It would also be published in a children's magazine. I was incredibly shocked! I had never won anything before. My family was incredibly proud of me and when I called to tell my grandfather to tell him he said, "I knew since the day I dropped you off at kindergarten that you were destined for success". In those days my goal was to make my grandfather proud. His approval meant the world to me and he even flew up from Florida to attend my ceremony. My fifth grade teacher, Mr. Navarro, helped me discover my love for history. The way he spoke made everything seem so amazing and he always captivated my interests. I memorized the states and their capitals just to impress him. This was the year my intense study habits were established. My grandfather passed away in May of that year. Mr. Navarro helped me cope with the devastating loss and made me feel better about everything.
Years later, as a high school student, I went back to Barnum Woods Elementary School every Tuesday and Thursday. I was a mentor at a program connected with a community service club and later became Head Mentor and in charge of the program. I visited my former teachers often. I was surprised and delighted to learn my fourth grade teacher, Mr. Lupo, who I greatly admired, kept all my writings to use as examples for his incoming students. Mr. Navarro passed away when I was a junior. During our academic awards, I received a scholarship in his name. I would not be where I am today without the guidance of my former teachers. They molded my mind throughout those crucial years of my adolescence and helped me discover who I am.
First and Second grade were pleasant and I made many friends whom I still consider my best friends today. In the third grade, I discovered what I wanted to do with my life. Reading and writing was always my best subjects and the topics I enjoyed learning. My teacher, Mrs. Renter, praised my creativity and informed me that my writing skills were well beyond my years. One afternoon, she asked me to stay late because she needed to talk to me. Naturally, I assumed I was in trouble. However, Mrs. Renter revealed that she had entered a few of my writing projects into contests for elementary school students and I won! She informed me I would be among other students across New York that would be honored in a ceremony in New York City for young writers. It would also be published in a children's magazine. I was incredibly shocked! I had never won anything before. My family was incredibly proud of me and when I called to tell my grandfather to tell him he said, "I knew since the day I dropped you off at kindergarten that you were destined for success". In those days my goal was to make my grandfather proud. His approval meant the world to me and he even flew up from Florida to attend my ceremony.
My fifth grade teacher, Mr. Navarro, helped me discover my love for history. The way he spoke made everything seem so amazing and he always captivated my interests. I memorized the states and their capitals just to impress him. This was the year my intense study habits were established. My grandfather passed away in May of that year. Mr. Navarro helped me cope with the devastating loss and made me feel better about everything.
Years later, as a high school student, I went back to Barnum Woods Elementary School every Tuesday and Thursday. I was a mentor at a program connected with a community service club and later became Head Mentor and in charge of the program. I visited my former teachers often. I was surprised and delighted to learn my fourth grade teacher, Mr. Lupo, who I greatly admired, kept all my writings to use as examples for his incoming students. Mr. Navarro passed away when I was a junior. During our academic awards, I received a scholarship in his name. I would not be where I am today without the guidance of my former teachers. They molded my mind throughout those crucial years of my adolescence and helped me discover who I am.